I talked to my Toronto area dealer today about the ovation, and here's the info I got.

1) She was just on weekend training on it and she likes it.
2) It probably won't be available here until NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER! (Jeepers!)
3) However, there SHOULD be one at Creativ this weekend, if you're there and want to check it out.
4) Lastly - and this is BIG - The MSRP is.......$4999 CAN (~$1000 CHEAPER than the US)! She couldn't give me an explanation to WHY, but I'm shocked. My guess: we won't get the trade-in deals/foot package our Southern neighbours get. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

I have inquired into FL dealers and the prices I am quoted here are closer to 4k than 5k without any deals. With deals they approach just over 3k.
I took a BL serger class this month and brought my Evolution- Missy B had the Ovation. It looked Huge!
I mean, I have often considered getting a smaller Imagine so after looking at the Evolution and Ovation side by side all lust for the Ovation flew quickly out the window.
Heavy to move or to tote so not for me. But if you have the space I am sure it answers every need and will solidly perform.

That is a real deal in Oh Canada! But I just brought one home in the states. My dealer was generous with trade-in allowance on my Evolution and it came with 22 feet in a beautiful fitted small piece of luggage, rolling tote (a real monster), inspirational guide (to follow), zero interest financing plus he threw in 8 cones of Madeira. Actually 11 because 3 were on the machine.

If you're not able to upgrade, you should definitely look into adding the new shorter presser foot which allows you to scoot all around in curvy directions. Pretty amazing, and the fabric continues to lie flat. The Ovation (I really have a hard time not calling it the Ovulation) has 5 inches to the right of the needles, so without the knife engaged you can get your quilts in there pretty well if you want to embellish using fancy thread in the looper.

In the class I took we saw or made: pin-tucking; decorative stitching with the fabric upside down so the looper thread would be on the right side, with and without quilting guide; our own covered cording using a welt foot, gathering (both fixed and maneuverable) and use of the binding attachment. I will use all of these techniques except the pin tucking, which I prefer to do on a regular sm.

------Let's just say all modern sms are well represented in my studio.

Well when you go from 2 machines to one you'll definitely save some real estate. But I'm having trouble figuring out what to sink this baby into. Turns out it's too large for the cabinet where I had my Evolution. Plus it needs to be forward if you want the knee lift to work. I may end up putting it on a regular, but sturdy, flat table. Or carving up something I already own. In short, it needs a custom table. Has anyone found the right one?

One other point of note: I always had a problem with my Evolution traveling when I serged at high speeds, which is how I serge most often. This doesn't happen with the Ovation.

------Let's just say all modern sms are well represented in my studio.

I can't even use my Evolution in the Koala airlift custom designed cabinet just too deep a machine- and the Ovation is wider and deeper and heavier. The only time my Evolution has traveled is when on those plastic fold up tables at sewing workshops. A piece of foam board under it prevents scoots on that. When home on a stable wood table or desk or counter- no movement at all.
Yes, I can see a cabinet will need to be custom designed for this new model. If it ever happens my Evolution will benefit as well- I would love to be able to airlift it up and down instead of covering it.

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